Wanstead Flats
WANSTEAD FLATS: Man-carrying kite flying attempt? Also model flying venue
Operated by: Samuel F Cody (Kites)
Period of operation: 14th Nov 1901 (Model flying from (?) and up till 1914 – and later?)
NOTES: By this time Cody was claiming to have built the largest kite in the world, the Viva. Length 27ft, width 13ft, height 51 and a half feet…square lifting area 675ft. The trial didn’t succeed in carrying a man and it is said Cody then claimed to the crowd, that his kites had so far, lifted only bags of sand.
And yet, we appear to have 'public’ records of his ‘series’ of kites lifting a man from Houghton House near Carlisle in 1899! See also BURY St EDMUNDS
This seems to have been a strong trait with Cody, making things up on the spot! Not always giving himself credit for his achievements despite being generally regarded as a complete extrovert and showman. Once again as mentioned elsewhere he never claimed to be the first to fly a ‘fixed wing’ powered aircraft in the UK despite being ‘in the frame’ for claiming that most notable achievement.
I have come across a mention in Flight magazine that a model flying competition was being held here by the Leytonstone and District Aero Club on June 21st 1914. These would have been fairly regular meetings and, I imagine, similar affairs continued perhaps for decades later?
Prior to WW1 certainly, most model Aero Clubs were affiliated or non-affiliated members of the Kite & Model Aeroplane Association. After WW1 and certainly after WW2 the term 'Aero Club' would be associated with ‘full-scale’ and piloted aircraft.
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